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"take heart"

I'm reading through the ESV One Year Bible this year. I have it in book form at home, and if I miss the morning, it's on my iGoogle page at a click.

Today these words stood out to me:

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:1-8)

When we think of the authority of Jesus and his words we are apt to think only about his commands. We need to remember his authority to tell us to "take heart" and "your sins are forgiven".

This is a word I need every day from the Lord:

“Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”



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